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Gadsden board approves 2026-27 staffing formula and moves Gadsden Central Academy program into GCHS for 2026-27
Summary
The board voted 3-1 to adopt the superintendent's 2026-27 staffing formula and to relocate secondary programming from Carter Parramore Academy (CPA)/Gadsden Central Academy (GCA) into space at Gadsden County High School (building 400) for the 2026-27 school year. The district said no employees will lose positions and that the move aims to maintain services while lowering per-student costs.
The Gadsden County School Board voted 3-1 on June 8 to accept the superintendent's recommendations adopting the 2026-27 staffing formula and implementing a transition plan that moves secondary programming from Carter Parramore Academy (CPA) / Gadsden Central Academy (GCA) into a dedicated area on the back side of building 400 at Gadsden County High School for the 2026-27 school year.
The superintendent told the board the CPA campus has unresolved air-conditioning problems and no available repair funds, and staff and ESE leaders proposed relocating secondary students so they continue to receive required ESE services. District presenters said GCA finished the year with about 20 students and that the change will be limited to secondary grades (roughly grades 6'12); elementary students who receive specialized programming will remain at their existing host campuses.
District officials emphasized their intent to preserve services while lowering costs: staff cited a current CPA per-student cost of about $42,000 and said colocating programs on a larger campus should reduce that expenditure while keeping individualized behavior intervention plans and ESE supports in place. The ESE director described logistics intended to retain access to special resources (cafeteria, transportation, therapeutic supports) and a point-based behavior-management system that lets students earn mainstream time and activities such as sports.
Board members pressed for clarity about how long the relocation would last. The superintendent said the CPA/GCA change is planned for the 2026-27 school year and could be reversed in later years if space becomes available or if AC repairs are funded; reopening would be reconsidered for the 2027-28 cycle if circumstances change.
During discussion, trustees asked about staff placement. The superintendent said all employees affected by the CPA closure had been accounted for through prior board approvals and that the district intends to place staff by attrition and internal transfers where feasible; "there's nobody losing their job because of closure," the superintendent said. The board was advised that administrators will coordinate placement conversations with principals who were recently assigned so staffing decisions can occur before the school year.
A board member moved to accept the superintendent's recommendations for items 2 (staffing formula) and 3 (CPA/GCA transition plan); the motion was seconded and passed by a voice vote with three ayes and one opposed.
The board directed staff to proceed with placement planning, to continue coordination with transportation, and to return with any outstanding logistical details. The superintendent said priority staffing work will focus on West Gaston and Greensboro campuses, which the district identified as priorities for turnaround and support.
The board will revisit operational details as principals and staff finalize assignments and as actual August/September enrollments are confirmed.
